Split shot applicator and magazine



March 5, 1968 G. 0. EDES 3,371,400

SPLIT SHOT APPLICATOR AND MAGAZINE Filed Feb. 15, 1966 INVENTOR. 6E05 GE 0. EDES HI: Hrr'aR/VE rs.

United States Patent 3,371,400 SPLIT SHOT APPLICATOR AND MAGAZINE George 0. Edes, 60 Telfer Drive, Morgan Hill, Calif. 95037 Filed Feb. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 527,530 7 Claims. (Cl. 29-212) The present invention relates to improvements in a split shot sinker applicator for fish lines, and to a split shot magazine strip for use therein.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for applying split shot to a fishing line wherein the shot are mounted, split side up, on a strip-like magazine removably mounted in the applicator.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved split shot applicator for fishing lines wherein the shot are mounted in aligned, spaced relation, with the split sides thereof exposed, on a tearoff magazine strip; and the shot are advanced one at a time against an anvil, and are squeezed closed to grip a fishing line inserted in the split therein by a single operation of an actuating lever, a base strip portion of the magazine being advanced endwise out of the applicator upon each such actuation for easy severence of any outwardly projecting portion of the base strip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a split shot applicator having two identical shot applicator structures mounted in back-to-back position, each of which applicator structures is constructed to receive a strip-like magazine having a plurality of split shot mounted in aligned, spaced relation thereon with the split side of each shot exposed to receive a fishing line, and successive shot are advanced, one at a time, against an anvil, where they are squeezed close to grip a fishing line inserted in the split upon each of a plurality of successive actuations of an actuating lever of a selected one of the applicator structures.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in combination with a split shot applicator for fishing lines, a split shot magazine having a plurality of shot secured in aligned, selected spaced relation along one side of a base strip, the split in each shot being exposed.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a magazine wherein each shot is covered by a thin, transparent layer of plastic sheet material which is molded, bubble-like, over the shot, and is adherently attached to the strip, and the shot and covering are both split subsequent to the mounting of the plastic covering thereover.

The foregoing objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a split shot applicator embodying the present invention, and having two applicator structures secured together in back-to-back relation, one of the applicator structures being shown in open, or retracted condition, and the other being shown in closed, or actuated condition.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a strip-like magazine for use with the applicator of FIG. 1, an end portion of the strip being outlined in broken lines as it would appear before being torn off.

FIG. 3 is a side, elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 1, the various broken lines showing the upper applicator structure in various stages of its operation, portions being broken away.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the shot magazine shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5.

3,371,400 Patented Mar. 5, 1968 Briefly, the illustrative form of the invention comprises a double split shot applicator A consisting of two similar applicator structures A and A secured together in back-to-back relation. Since the two applicator structures A and A are identical, only the upper structure A will be described in detail.

The upper structure A comprises a channel body 10 of sheet metal having an anvil 11 secured in one end thereof. A handle lever 12 is pivotally mounted at the other end of the body 10, and is biased away from the body by a bent leaf spring 13, A toggle thrust link 14 is pivotally connected to the handle lever 12, and is biased into frictional contact therewith by a spring washer 15 (FIG. 4). The outer end of the toggle link 14 is retained against upward displacement by an overlying flange 17, and is limited in its rearward movement by an inwardly bent tab 18.

A split shot magazine B, with a plurality of split shot 19 mounted at selected spaced intervals thereon, is fitted into the body 10. Upon each compressive actuation of the handle lever 12, the outermost shot 19 of the magazine B is moved outwardly by the outer end of the toggle link 14 into contact with the anvil 11, in which position a fishing line C is inserted into the split of the thus ad vanced shot, which is then squeezed closed over the fishing line by the toggle link 14 upon a final compressive movement of the handle lever 12. A spring retaining clip 20 is provided on the side of the body 10 to releasably retain the handle lever 12 in its closed or actuated condition.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and more particularly to the upper applicator structure A thereof, the channel body 10 may be of any suitable material, such as, for example, 20 gauge sheet steel. The body 10 has a flat base portion 21, and side flanges 22 and 23.

The anvil 11 is a horizontally positioned, outwardly open, rectangular U-shaped member, and may be of sheet metal similar to the body 10. The anvil 11 is fitted into the left hand end of the body channel as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, and is secured in position therein by suitable means, such as silver soldering.

The lower leg of the anvil 11 is spaced upwardly from the body channel base 21 sufficiently to permit the base strip 24 of a split shot magazine B to pass therebetween. The exposed outer edge 25 of the lower leg of the anvil 11 preferably is serrated to provide a tearing edge to facilitate tearing off any projecting end portions of the magazine base strips 24.-

A pair of laterally opposite notches 27 and 28 are provided, one in each side flange of the body 10 just inwardly of the anvil 11 to permit a fishing line C to be laid therein and in the split 29 of a shot 19 advanced into position against the anvil as shown in dash-three-dot lines in FIG. 3.

The overlying flange 17 is bent inwardly from an upper portion of the farther side flange 23 of the body channel 10 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 to limit upward movement of the outer end of the toggle thrust link 14 during a retracting movement of the latter by the handle lever 12. The stop tab 18 is severed from an upper portion of the other body channel side flange 22, and is bent inwardly to limit inward retraction of the toggle thrust link.

The toggle thrust link 14 is fitted into the downwardly open side of the channel handle lever 12, and may also be of downwardly open channel construction of suitable material, for example, 20 gauge sheet metal. The outer or thrust exerting end of the toggle thrust link 14 is closed, and is of sufiicient strength to withstand the compressive stresses to which it is subjected during operation of the mechanism. Ordinarily this is sufiicient if an end flap 30 is formed integral with the remainder of the toggle thrust link and is of a width to bear against the outer ends of the side flanges of the channel material from which this toggle thrust link is formed as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

A pair of oppositely extending ears 31 and 32 are provided, one on each side of the lower end of the end flap 30. The farther ear 31 (FIGS. 1 and 3) rides beneath the flange 17 on an upward movement of the outward end of the toggle thrust link 14, while the stop tab 18 limits inward movement of the toggle thrust link during a retraction thereof by the bent leaf spring 13.

The toggle thrust link 14 is pivotally connected to the handle lever 12 by a pivot pin 33 which, as illustrated, is a conventional roll pin. The transversely curved washer 15 is of spring metal, and is interposed in compression between a side of the toggle thrust link 14 and the handle lever 12 as best shown in FIG. 4. The frictional engagement thus produced between the handle lever and the toggle thrust link retains the latter against free swinging movement relative to the handle lever.

The base strip 24 of the shot magazine is of stiff, but preferably easily tearable material, such as cheap grade cardboard. A plurality of conventional lead shot 19 of the type used for fishing line sinkers are arranged at selected spaced intervals lengthwise along the base strip, and are covered by a layer 26 of preferably clear, thin, transparent plastic sheet material of a well known type employed widely for the bubble packaging of various materials. The plastic sheet is heated sufficiently to permit it to deform easily, and it is then drawn downwardly about the shot arranged on the strip 24 in a well known manner, for example, by a soft rubber pressure pad or vacuum means, so as to closely encase in a bubble-like hump each of the shot on the base strip. The portion of the thus deformed plastic sheet which contacts the upper surface of the base strip 24 is adherently attached thereto, and the shot are then split in any suitable manner, for example, by a conventional cutting die, not shown. The plastic sheet portion overlying each shot is also split open by the splitting tool simultaneously with the splitting of each shot. The shot 19 are spaced along the magazine base strip 24 by such intervals that when the outer side of the outermost shot of a magazine B is advanced into engagement with the anvil 11, the inner side of the next successive shot of the magazine will be in position to be engaged by the outer end of the toggle thrust link 14 upon the next actuation of the handle lever 12 as shown in the sequence views of FIG. 3.

Operation of the illustrative form of the invention is as follows: For inserting a shot magazine B into the channel body 10, the handle lever 12 is pressed toward the body sutficiently to move the ear 32 on the near side of the toggle thrust link 14 clear of the stop tab 18. The outer end of the thrust link is then held in such downwardly displaced relation and the handle lever 12 is allowed to swing upwardly under the biasing action of the spring 13. This action draws the ear 31 on the far side of the toggle thrust link 14 inwardly clear of the overlying flange 17 and allows the handle lever 12 to swing upwardly toward its dash-one-dot line position of FIG. 3, thereby clearing the body channel 10 for the insertion of a magazine B therein. A shot magazine B is laid into the body channel 10, inserting the outer end of its base strip 24 into the space between the anvil 11 and the body channel base 21. Each shot magazine B is of such a length, and the first or outermost shot thereon is so positioned, that such first shot will be engaged by the outer end of the toggle thrust link 14 and advanced into contact with the anvil 11 upon an initial actuation of the handle lever 12 after loading.

After thus inserting a magazine, the handle lever 12 is swung downwardly toward the body 10 and the toggle thrust link 14 is manually swung outwardly sutficiently to cause ear 32 to move outwardly beyond the stop tab 18. Upon release of the handle lever 12, the spring 13 biases the handle lever 12 upwardly, the overlying flange 17 limiting upward movement of the outer end of the toggle thrust link by engaging the other ear 31, drawing the outer end of the toggle thrust link inwardly until it is arrested by engagement of the ear 32 with the stop tab 18. The applicator structure A is then loaded and ready for use.

For attaching a split shot to a fishing line, the handle lever 12 is gripped and squeezed toward the body 10. The frictional interengagement between the toggle thrust link 14 and the handle lever 12 initially moves the outer end of the toggle thrust link downwardly into engagement with the base strip 24 of the shot magazine B, and behind the first or outermost shot 19 thereon as shown in dash-two-dot lines in FIG. 3. Further movement of the handle in the same direction causes the toggle thrust link 14 to swing outwardly, moving this first shot into engagement with the anvil 11. A fishing line C, for example, a conventional monofilament line, is then lowered into the split of this outermost shot, and upon further movement of the handle lever the toggle thrust link exerts a powerful thrust toward the anvil, compressing the split shot tberebetween and closing the split in the shot around the fishing line to grip it firmly as shown in dash-three-dot lines in FIG. 3.

'Upon release of the handle lever 12, the spring 13 biases the handle lever upwardly, the frictional engagement between the handle lever and the toggle thrust link raising the outer end of the thrust link clear of the next shot of the magazine and causing the ear 31 to ride inwardly along the under side of the overlying flange 17 until the other ear 32 is arrested by the stop tab 18.

Upon the completion of each closing actuation of the handle lever 12, a projecting end portion of the roll pin 33 engages a cam surface 34 provided on the spring latch plate 30, thereby forcing the free end of the latch plate outwardly from the body. A hole 37 is provided in the latch plate to receive the projecting end of the roll pin and thereby retain the handle lever 12 in its closed condition. When it is desired to again use the mechanism, the latch plate 35 is manually moved outwardly to release the pin 33, whereupon the handle lever is moved outwardly to its solid line position of FIG. 3 by the spring 13. Any portion of the base portion 34 of the shot magazine which projects beyond the anvil 11 may be torn off by pulling it upwardly and sideways against the serrated edge 25 of the lower leg of the anvil.

The two applicator structures A and A are secured together in back-to-back relation by any suitable means, such as conventional spot welding, not shown. By providing the double structure illustrated, two sizes of shot can be kept loaded in the mechanism so as to provide for rapid and easy application of a selected size of shot to a fishing line.

The invention provides an improved and simplified split shot applicator for fishermen, which is simple and positive in its operation and inexpensive to manufacture, and an improved shot magazine which insures quick availability of required sizes of split shot.

While I have illustrated and described the present invention, it will be understood, however, that various changes and modifications may be made in the details thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A split shot applicator for fishing lines comprising:

a body adapted to receive an elongated shot magazine comprising a base strip having a plurality of split shot attached to one side thereof with the shot aligned lengthwise of the base strip and the split sides of the shot exposed,

an anvil mounted in one end of the body to lie clear of the base strip of a shot magazine loaded into the body and in alignment with the shot on such magazine,

an actuating lever pivotally connected at one cnd thereof to the other end of the body,

a toggle link pivoted at one end thereof on the free I end of the actuating handle and in light frictional engagement therewith for frictionally restricting pivotal movement of the toggle link relative to the handle,

means retaining the other end of the toggle link for longitudinal slidable movement within the body and free for movement transversely of the body from a position clear of the shot on a shot magazine loaded into the body to a position engaging the base strip of such magazine and into thrust engagement with the endmost shot of such magazine, said other end of the toggle link being moved en-dwise of the body toward the anvil by continued actuation of the handle toward the body for squeezing said last shot into gripping engagement with a fishing line inserted in the split of such shot.

2. A split shot applicator for fishing lines as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is a metal channel member, the handle is a channel member fitted for relative pivotal movement into the open side thereof, and a flat leaf spring is fitted within the body and handle and around the pivotal interconnection therebetween to bias the handle away from the body.

3. A split shot applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the anvil is a rectangular U-shaped sheet met-a1 member secured in said one end of the body with the legs thereof horizontal and facing outwardly away from the toggle link.

4. A split shot applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein a lateral projection is provided on one side of said other end of the toggle link and a flange is formed on the body in position to limit movement of said other end of the toggle link transversely of the body.

5. A split shot applicator for fishing lines as claimed in claim 4 wherein a second lateral projection is provided on the other side of the other end of the toggle link and a stop member is provided on the body to limit movement of the other end of the toggle link away from the anvil to a position beyond a neXt successive shot on a magazine loaded into the body.

6. A split shot applicator as claimed in claim 5 wherein the stop member is spaced upwardly from the bottom of the body a suflicient distance to admit the second lateral therebetween to free the other end of the toggle link from the body and thereby free the lever to swing to open position for loading a shot magazine therein.

7. In a split shot applicator for fishing lines having an elongated shot magazine recess therein, and means for successively advancing and squeezing each of a plurality of split shot mounted on the magazine, the magazine comprising:

an elongated, fiat base strip of stilt material of a size to fit for slidable movement within the magazine recess of such applicator,

a plurality of individual lead shot arranged in a row at selected spaced intervals lengthwise along one side of the base strip, and

a covering of thin thermo-plastic sheet material applied to said one side of the base strip and formed into bubbles closely encasing each shot thereon, each shot and the plastic sheet covering thereover being split transversely of the strip to a depth suflicient to receive a fishing line therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,603,992 7/1952 Brown et al. 72410 2,803,977 8/1957 Surratt. 2,829,550 4/ 1958 Hamshaw.

THOMAS H. EAGER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SPLIT SHOT APPLICATOR FOR FISHING LINES COMPRISING: 